Paid parking, a sore subject for many in Sag Harbor, was again on the table at Tuesday night’s meeting of the village board.
Aidan Corish, a board member, reported that “the total paid parking take for the month of October was $4,332,” and proposed that October be removed from the paid-parking season. “The aggravation that it caused, versus the minimal income that it provided, doesn’t seem to be worth it,” he said.
The rollout this year of paid parking was controversial, to say the least, and the board intends to mend fences next season by providing “every village resident two free parking stickers,” Mr. Corish said.
That will include some 2,000 homes within the village proper. Those who live within those limits already pay about $30 to $35 per household in property taxes that go to maintain the large parking lot on Bridge Street (the gas ball lot). Those who live outside village limits, but within the Sag Harbor fire district and school
district, will be able to buy two stickers per household at $15 each.
With the stickers, residents will be able to park for four hours at the gas ball lot and the parking area on Meadow Street, and all day at Havens Beach.
Mayor Tom Gardella noted that employees in the village — some 200 to 300 people — will also get a break on parking, though what it will be is still under discussion. “I’ve gotten some feedback from the business owners, who say they’re just paying the tickets,” the mayor said. “Some of them are paying $1,500 to $2,000 a year out of their pockets.” The Chamber of Commerce will be asked to weigh in on those discussions.
“I’m trying to come up with a date where we’ll actually get a lot of people [at the meeting],” said Ellen DioGuardi, the chamber’s president, “because a lot of people are interested, but during the holiday times it’ll be rough.”
The mayor promised that the board will seek public input from the community as well. In any event, paid parking will not return until May.
